Moving from Pittsburgh, PA to Houston, TX
It is 1339 mi between Pittsburgh and Houston β roughly 24h 54m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1339 mi Β· 24h 54m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β KY β OH β WV β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β KY β OH β WV β PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 71, US 59 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pittsburgh | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.671 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.711 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.684 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.986 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 94.671 vs 98.629 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.2% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Pittsburgh -0.4%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pittsburgh | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.3" | 54.1" |
Expect 18.2Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pittsburgh | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $64,137 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.6% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.21 | 2.51 |
Median household incomes in Pittsburgh ($64,137) and Houston ($62,894) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Pittsburgh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $237,533 in Pittsburgh β a 11.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Houston, TX from Pittsburgh, PA?
The driving distance is 1339 mi and the route typically takes 24h 54m via I 40 and I 71. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Pittsburgh to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1339 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Houston more expensive than Pittsburgh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 4.2% higher than Pittsburgh (98.629 vs 94.671, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Pittsburgh vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $64,137 in Pittsburgh β a 1.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Pittsburgh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,071,900 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pittsburgh.
City profiles: Pittsburgh, PA Β· Houston, TX.